Eagles
We’re getting there. The season is closer than ever and OTAs are starting. First official practice open to the media happens today, May 27th. With people flocking to practice, we’re going to look through each position group and give goals.
Offensive Line: Their goal for 2026 should be consistency. The Eagles run game in 2025 was the opposite of that goal. They went from 3,048 yards to 1,988 from 2024 to 2025. Losing over 1,000 yards of offensive production is bad #analysis. Injuries across the line explain a lot of this. Only one lineman started every game, Tyler Steen. The talent is unmatched with Johnson, Mailata, Dickerson, and Jurgens. If they can stay healthy and consistent, I expect rushing totals closer to 2024 than 2025.
Wide Receivers: This group will have the most scrutiny (especially if you don’t count the quarterback). When you’re reading this AJ Brown may have been traded. This leaves a massive hole in the receiving core. Devonta Smith was drafted to be a true #1 receiver. Looks like he’ll get his chance in 2026.
I’ve thought of a metaphor to explain how difficult it is to play receiver. Imagine getting food from a drive-through. You have to pay (route running), have the food correctly prepared (QB throw), and pick it up (make the catch). Okay now picture that while running as fast as you can while the car in front of you tries to steal it. Doesn’t sound so easy so imagine doing that up to 10 times in four hours. Still Devonta Smith has been a phenomenal player so far. My goal for them (Devonta Smith specifically) is to rise to the challenge.
Running Backs: I still believe in Saquon Barkley. That said, he did not have a great 2025. We touched on it during the offensive line. While it’s hard to pinpoint exactly why he declined (coaching, play-calling, injured offensive line, or general aging decline). This is hard to back by analysis but I watch the games and Saquon needs to run down hill. It won’t look as pretty as his long TD runs of years past but consistent yard gains helps the offense.
Quarterback: Jalen Hurts is at a weird place in his career. The Super Bowl winner and MVP still somehow has a lot to prove. While that means nothing for future success, it shouldn’t be discounted. He also had a rather scathing article come out earlier calling him a bad teammate. That leads to goal for him. Shut everyone up. Go in, play your role, listen to your coaches, and don’t be afraid to use the tools you’ve curated in the past. Side note, he had a great quote today about him and Mannion’s relationship already (see below).
Defensive Line: This group had a lackluster 2025, especially compared to 2024. Luckily the Eagles bolstered the line with Johnathan Greenard. My goal for them is to ramp up the pressure and stop doing things that can keep them off the field. Not going to comment on the Nolan Smith arrest since details are still coming out but it may result in him missing time. We also had Jalen Carter get suspended on his first game and also miss time due to injury. If they can stay on the field and build chemistry, they should have a stronger presence than last year.
Defensive Back: Their goal is simple, have your best players play their best and the newcomers follow. They have the players to handle it. The elite tag team duo of Mitchell and DeJean are the flashy players. They added Super Bowl champion Riq Woolen and draft pick Cole Wisniewski. Safety seems like it could be a point of concern with Reed Blankenship leaving. Hopefully the lockdown corners are able to bridge the gap for younger Safeties. Hence why the good players need to be good and the new players to step up.
Linebackers: They need to aim for the opposite of the DBs, make a name for yourself. This may sound similar to the goal for the receivers and it isn’t far off. The difference is that we know the receivers have talent headed by Devonta Smith. Zack Baun is still there and always plays hard but the rest are questionable. Sure Jihaad Campbell was a high draft pick but didn’t see much of the field later in the season. Hopefully this was because Nakobe Dean and him had similar skills so losing him won’t result in much drop off. Who wouldn’t like to see Trotter Jr take up after his old man?
So you see, if every single position groups improves the Eagles should be better. While it sounds obvious, having concrete goals from each position group at least provides you with something to strive for going into 2026. It also takes pressure off one player. I know I mentioned Smith and Hurts against this point but there’s only one QB on the field and Smith is poised for a big season. At the end of the day football is a team sport. If one position group fails, it will hurt the entire team. As always, Go Birds!
Sources: Eagles on X, SportradioWIP on X
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Hello, I’m a greater Philadelphia native writing mostly about the Eagles and the rest of the NFL. Articles aren’t … More about Kyle Lavin
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